Qa &

March 05, 2006

Eighty-four-year-old Robert Birtwhistle shot and killed an intruder in his Mishawaka home Feb. 16, 2005. The shooting was ruled a justified homicide. Now an Indiana bill would give Indiana residents a greater right to use deadly force against intruders. Q: What are your thoughts about this proposed law?A: I'm in favor of anything that involves those rights. I am entirely in favor of having a defense weapon. I don't want to carry a handgun out of my property. ... I'm ready for (this proposal) to happen. Q: How have things been since the incident? Did you ever get your gun back?A: As a result of this, I joined the National Rifle Association in the category of using the item as a defense weapon. I did get my gun back. Q: What do you think about the incident last month in which an 80-year-old South Bend man also shot and killed an intruder?A: I'm happy for him. He won't get charged. He deserves to not get charged. -- Staff writer Yonika Willis